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Four ways to reduce your sugar intake

You may not realize it, but your sugar consumption has likely increased over the last several years. Beyond what you add to your coffee or the occasional sweet treat, you may be getting hidden sugar from an array of processed foods, such as ketchup and salad dressing. Even conventional baby food contains added sugar. And all those additions can be troubling to your health, say experts. Patrick Breig

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You may not realize it, but your sugar consumption has likely increased over the last several years. Beyond what you add to your coffee or the occasional sweet treat, you may be getting hidden sugar from an array of processed foods, such as ketchup and salad dressing. Even conventional baby food contains added sugar. And all those additions can be troubling to your health, say experts.
Patrick Breig

There are many names and forms of sugar so learning to read food labels helps. Generally speaking, if an ingredient ends with the suffix -ose, then it’s a sugar. Ryan McVay, Getty Images

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There are many names and forms of sugar so learning to read food labels helps. Generally speaking, if an ingredient ends with the suffix -ose, then it’s a sugar.
Ryan McVay, Getty Images

Don’t use artificial sweeteners. While it may seem natural to reach for an artificial sweetener when you’re attempting to cut back on the real deal, it’s a grave mistake. Most artificial sweeteners actually increase cravings for sugary foods. If you do need a boost of sweetness, stick to more healthful whole food options, such as honey, date sugar, coconut sugar and pure organic maple syrup. silkenphotography, Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Don’t use artificial sweeteners. While it may seem natural to reach for an artificial sweetener when you’re attempting to cut back on the real deal, it’s a grave mistake. Most artificial sweeteners actually increase cravings for sugary foods. If you do need a boost of sweetness, stick to more healthful whole food options, such as honey, date sugar, coconut sugar and pure organic maple syrup.
silkenphotography, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Keep the sugar off the table and in the pantry. You’ll be less likely to add it to your meals. That being said, there are plenty of foods that you may be adding sugar to that are already sugary on their own -- from cereal to fresh fruit. Once you get used to the natural taste of these foods, you won’t miss the added spoonful. Kmonroe2, Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Keep the sugar off the table and in the pantry. You’ll be less likely to add it to your meals. That being said, there are plenty of foods that you may be adding sugar to that are already sugary on their own -- from cereal to fresh fruit. Once you get used to the natural taste of these foods, you won’t miss the added spoonful.
Kmonroe2, Getty Images/iStockphoto

Seek out sweet flavors, while reaping the benefits of plant-based proteins with a protein blend an easily digestible nutrient-filled superfood that tastes great and has zero grams of sugar and no unhealthy additives. marekuliasz, Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Seek out sweet flavors, while reaping the benefits of plant-based proteins with a protein blend an easily digestible nutrient-filled superfood that tastes great and has zero grams of sugar and no unhealthy additives.
marekuliasz, Getty Images/iStockphoto

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You may not realize it, but your sugar consumption has likely increased over the last several years. Beyond what you add to your coffee or the occasional sweet treat, you may be getting hidden sugar from an array of processed foods, such as ketchup and salad dressing. Even conventional baby food contains added sugar. And all those additions can be troubling to your health, say experts.